Proudest Fiddle In The World
Merle Haggard · Let Me Tell You About a Song [1972]
Meryl Haggard & Bonnie Owens
(Spoken)
Merle titled this album Let Me Tell You About A Song
But right now let me tell you about a fiddle
One that was given to Merle out of kindness by the great Bob Wills
After leavin' the Wills' home that day
Merle was so moved he just sat and stared silently at the fiddle for a long time
Finally he said wish this fiddle could talk
Then he said on second thought
What if that fiddle that's in the Hall of Fame
The one he played on San Antonio Rose could just talk
What a story it could tell
And Merle said I think if I were that fiddle this is what I'd say
(Sang)
Who I am and what I was I'm sure the whole world knows
Why I'm the great Bob Wills fiddle that played on San Antonio Rose
But I lay here now in the Hall of Fame a show piece that no one plays
And my tone that used to thrill the dancin' crowds is gone
with the good ole days.
I wish my strings could just talk and tell my story to all the passin' fans
Boy I'd I'd even like to rear back and play a break down
But I can't do it without the master's hands
Yeah I was part of something great and I know it
I even played on the Old Brown Skin Girl
Tho my strings are old and dusty now
I'm still the proudest fiddle in the world...
Proudest Fiddle In The World
Merle Haggard's "Proudest Fiddle In The World" stands as a quintessential example of his mastery of the outlaw country and honky-tonk styles. Recorded for the 1972 album "Let Me Tell You About a Song," the track showcases Haggard's signature storytelling ability, blending themes of pride, heartbreak, and the rugged individualism that defined his career. The song features his characteristic vocal delivery, characterized by a raspy, emotive tone that cut through the airwaves of the early 1970s. As a staple of his discography, the recording captures the essence of the era's musical landscape, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of the working class through a narrative lens that resonated deeply with audiences. It remains a defining piece in his catalog, illustrating his ability to craft songs that are both personally intimate and universally relatable.